Soldier, athlete, farmer
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor's crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor's crown except by competing according to the rules.
And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Remember Jesus Christ
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,
Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained.
Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
A worker approved
Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarrelling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarrelling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.
Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Useful to the Master
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.